Diamond Nights

It's hard to argue with a band like Diamond Head, one of the seminal NWOBHM acts and, along with Motorhead, the backbone of the classic Metallica sound. Sadly, this act got little respect until Metallica covered the hell out of them and people began to realize what a great, great band they were.

The best way to describe Diamond Head's sound is Metallica meets Led Zeppelin. I know DH was first, but it'd be fair to say that Metallica axed the Zeppelin and added the Motorhead (thank god) and from this volatile mix crafted their epic style of metal. Diamond Head was a pioneering act in that they had great, multi-part almost progressive epics that were unlike virtually anything the world had seen by that point. It's not hard to see where Metallica got their inspiration when one listens to songs like "The Prince" and "Helpless" that feature upwards of six riffs in one song and a number of breaks and tempo changes. Outside of a very few Judas Priest songs, nothing in the 70's and early 80's comes close to this sound.

The lead singer of the band, Harris, is a Robert Plant-Geddy Lee type wailer, and his willowy voice can sometimes be annoying, particularly on Zep-alike psychedelic trash like "Sucking My Love", complete with cheesier than cheese innuendo worthy of Spinal Tap(and, err...Led Zeppelin to be honest). But for that one piece of sludge Diamond Head hammers you with shoulda/woulda/coulda been metal classics like "Lightning to the Nations" and "Streets of Gold", both songs where Harris shines, the first being a good use of his willowy style over thunderous metal heft, the second being a rough 'n' tumble piece of thuggery.

Guitarist Tatler was an unsung genius, unveiling wonderous and frighteningly advanced riffery as if it were easy, playing elegant leads that complemented the music while screaming for vengeance. The man could do self-effacing breaks as in "The Prince"(one of the catchiest lead melodies every written) or pretentiously virtuosic as in the bands signature epic "Am I Evil?”.

And speak of the devil, "Am I Evil?" has got to be one of the most important metal songs ever written. From the Mercyful Fate-style lyrics, a stirring and vicious narrative, to the pounding Rainbow-gone-mad castle rock riffery, near-thrash overdrive two thirds through, to those multiple multi-part solo's...folks this is what you got into metal for. This was one of the building blocks for the 80's metal epics, slotted in beside songs like "Victim of Changes", "Hallowed be thy Name", "War Pigs"... titles that require no credit because they are so universally sacred to the metal masses. "Am I Evil?" is every bit as deserving as those platters and should be slotted in beside them. And one should not discount Metallica's titanic re-shred that actually manages to better this, mostly due to the intensity they bring to the song.

Diamond Head excelled at the gallop, rarely kicking into overdrive but preferring to stay in that brisk clip just below, as evidenced on songs like the aforementioned "Streets of Gold", "Sweet and Innocent", and the spaced out "Shoot Out the Lights" and "Diamond Lights". But man, when they thrashed they thrashed, "Helpless" and "The Prince" being crucial links in the speed metal chain, both actually bringing to mind odd-ball Brits Budgie. Wow, Tallica just seems prescient now eh? "Helpless" would be perfect if Harris didn't insist on bleating out the title on the chorus, his yelps almost souring the busy guitar supporting it. But man, talk about a multi-part song, Tatler and Co. just spinning off tasty leads and tempo changes like nobodies business.

"Lightning to the Nations" is a real crusher, a power metally song with a driving groove that brooks no opposition. "I Don't Got" is a brilliant longing ballad that really should've been on the Lightning to the Nations album, but was relegated to the subsequent EP I believe. And lets not forget bloozey anthem "It's Electric", a young dumb and likely full of cum rocker that can put a smile on the most embattled rawker, unless they think metal begins and ends with Mayhem or Dismember I suppose.

The sounds quality is better than the notes on the album entry would have you believe, and as this is one of the few places you can find all of the early, essential DH recordings in a convenient package I recommend it unequivocally.

Stand-Outs: “Am I Evil”, “Streets of Gold”, “The Prince”